Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations KootK on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Timber Pile to Beam Connection Problem Ideas?

Status
Not open for further replies.

sam37

Structural
Sep 27, 2019
7
Anyone have any ideas for this problem I am trying to think of something to recommend? Basically see the attached sketch, at a residential driveway there is fill which the soil pressure has caused 12" timber piles to lean, there are a total of 8 piles, the largest span between two of the piles is 5 feet, and differential horizontal movement of a maximum of 6 inches at the top of the piles away from where it originally was. Since then, a steel channel was ran across all the piles with tie backs to keep the piles from moving any further. However, because of the movement, it has caused rather severe twisting of a beam supporting the 4x12 floor joists above. There is a 12 x 12 directly above the pile, then another smaller sized beam (roughly 6x12?) sitting on top of that. The 12x12 is preferable to remain, the other member we can replace. What sort of solutions does anyone can think of some type of bracket to connect the pile, and 2 timber members on top of it. I was thinking maybe getting the same sized members together to be able to "strap" them together flush with a steel channel? What other solutions of some connections can anyone suggest, or what type of loads should I anticipate and try to design for? Any standard connections for this or will it have to be custom fabricated? Any possible hardships of a project like this? Would appreciate any and all help.
5_t4nvpd.png
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

Doesn't look much more difficult than typical rectification if they can get under there to work.

One option would be to coach-screw an angle/channel vertically to the posts and to the 12×12 if you think the existing connection isn't adequate. Or fabricate a bracket if you prefer through-bolts into the post parallel to the beam.

Remove the 12×6 and chamfer an edge so it sits square top and bottom. Pack back into place. Skew nails/screws back into place or angle brackets. Or bring it forward to align with the post and 12×12 and run one bracket up the side of all three.
 
If the space in front of the wall doesn't need to remain unobstructed, probably the simplest solution is to dig pits and pour or place thrust blocks, or drive piles out in front of the existing timber piles, and install diagonal braces (kickers?). If you need to push the piles back to vertical, using a temporary jack post against the new pile or thrust block diagonally above or below the permanent diagonal may work.

Alternately, kickers up to the 4x12 joists may be an option if there is sufficient resistance to the lateral thrust at the other end of the joists. (What's at the other end of the joists?) this approach may require a vertical from the kicker to the joists to resist the uplift generated by the force on the diagonal.



Rod Smith, P.E.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor